Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,863, John Goff, Mass. R.I.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass. R.I.
Goff, John
S 15,863
Carded.
CONTENTS

15348
Massachusetts
John Goff
of Bristol in the State of Mass who was a Captain in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt commands by Col French in the Mass 4th R.I. line for 6 (60) 28 Days
Mil.
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 22 Dollars 11 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th day of June 1833 and Just C.S. Hodges Present
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $49.22 Semi-ant. allowance ending 17 Sept 11.05 $50.27
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Acct June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. H. McBlain Clerk, Book No. Vol. 2. Page 28,
80 Mistakes

REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF PLYMOUTH Bristol ss.
ON this Thirtieth day of August 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Hon. Hedejah Mayes Judge of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Bristol now sitting at Dighton by adjournment. within and for said County of Plymouth Bristol ss. John Goff Bristol a resident of Berkley in said County of Plymouth  Bristol , and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Seventy nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. That is to say, that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That in the latter part of the month of November or the first part of the month of December A.D. 1775 at said Berkley (where he then resided) he enlisted as a private soldier for the term of two months in a company of Infantry commanded by Capt. James Briggs then of Dighton in said County with kind accord, in which company James Nichols of said Berkley was the first and Philip Hathaway of Dartmouth in said County the second lieutenants and Benjamin Coombs of the same Dartmouth the first sergeant; that very soon after he enlisted, he went to Farmton in said County where the company was ordered to muster and from said Farmton he was marched with the company to Roxbury, near Boston, Mass. where he and the company were stationed and were engaged in erecting intrenchments and guarding Boston neck (Boston then being in the possession of the British) and after thus serving two months, he was discharged by Capt. Briggs at Roxbury about the first of February A.D. 1776. His discharge was a verbal and not a written one. There were no continental troops, of which he recalls, at that time at Roxbury. That the company to which he belonged arrived at Roxbury about a month before and was at Roxbury when the first eight months men, so called, were discharged. That he is not positively certain but has the impression that Col. Jacob Paine commanded the Regiment. Evidence of this service will be found in the annexed affidavit signed by Samuel Paul who is the only person that he now knows, that is alive, that

Served with him under Capt. Briggs - This service he understood as a Soldier for the State of Massachusetts - That he cannot be certain of the name or names of the General Officers under whom or with whom he served during this period.
And the said John Goff upon his oath is further declared, that after he was thus discharged by Capt. Briggs, he returned to said Berkley; and in a short time again enlisted at said Berkley (where he then resided) as a private soldier, in a company of Infantry, for a further term of two months, commanded by Capt. Samuel Dabbs in Col. Jacob French's Regiment; that about the first of February A.D. 1776 he was marched with the company from said Berkley to said Noosuk (That soon after he and the company and Regiment were marched from thence to Winter Hill so called, near Boston, where they were stationed until some time in March A.D. 1776, when he and the company and other troops were marched from thence to the Dorchester neck (it is also near Boston) where he was stationed until about the first of April A.D. 1776 when his term of enlistment having expired, he was there discharged by Capt. Dabbs - This discharge was a verbal one and not a written one - That he cannot fix the time of his enlistment or discharge with any greater certainty than is above stated - He is positive however that he served the said two months under Capt. Dabbs and was discharged as above stated. That in this service he was also a soldier for the Province or State of Massachusetts - Whilst he was at Winter Hill he was upon guard and when the weather was not excessively cold he was engaged in erecting fortifications and in trenches although the earth was frozen, as he well recollects - Whilst at Dorchester he sometimes was upon guard but generally upon fatigue, erecting fortifications upon Dorchester neck - That when he and others were throwing up fortifications upon Dorchester neck the British ships lay very near, the some of them not more than half a mile off, and they almost constantly were throwing large and shells at the works - During this period he well recollects of the evacuation of Boston by the British in the month of March A.D. 1776. - A few days before the British left Boston, three men were killed by the side of the said Goff, by a single shot from the enemy; and of these men one was the sergeant of the Regiment to which the said Goff belonged. - He recollects that the troops at at Winter Hill were under the immediate command of Gen. Sullivan - He recollects

during this period of frequently seeing Generals Washington and Putnam. Whether there were any Continental troops at or in the vicinity of Boston during this period he cannot positively say. He has no recollection of seeing any at that time. Evidence of this absence will be found in the annexed affidavits signed by Benjamin Pratt, Ebenezer Pratt and Samuel Pratt, all of Boston were privates & soldiers in the same company.
And the said John Goff, further declares, that time he thinks, in the year of 1777, he went from said Baskley (where he then resided) to New-Lands Ferry in the State of Rhode Island; and there enlisted in a company of Infantry under the command of Capt. Abiel Clapp, and as he thinks and believes in Col. Sapsin's Regiment. That he enlisted in said company to serve the period of three months. That the company, when he went to New-Lands Ferry, had been there but a few days (say about three or four days); that he there served in said company from the time he enlisted until the company was discharged, and he was there discharged with the company. That he served the three months aforesaid wanting however, three or four days, but the Captain made him the said Goff up, upon the payroll for the three months. That he had a verbal and not a written discharge. That he cannot be positively certain in what year he thus served but knows it was after he served under Capt. Dibble and before Sullivan's Expedition upon the Island of Rhode Island, and thinks it was, as above stated in the year of 1777. He knows also that he did serve the period above stated and that Paul Briggs, whose affidavit is herunto annexed was a private soldier in Capt. Gibbs company during the whole of this period, and that said Paul was stationed near to the place where the said Goff was stationed. Neither can he be certain in what month he thus enlisted or was discharged. That he does not recollect

of any Continental troops being stationed near Haverland or ferry in this period - That he remembers a officer Col. Stanton with the said ferry, who commanded a Regiment. - That during this period he with the company were engaged in guarding the mainland from invasion from the enemy, (the enemy then being in the possession of the Island of Rhode Island) - That he served this period as a soldier for the State of Massachusetts - That he does not know of any person now living who served with him in this company. - He recollects that there were persons in many of the company named, Jordan, Britton and Skinner, - The principal part of the company were from Mansfield in said County of Bristol, where the Captain also belonged. -
And the said John Goff upon his oath aforesaid further declares, in order more fully to answer the Interrogatories propounded by the Secretary of War, that he has been told by his parents that he born in Dighton in said County, where he the said Goff resided at the earliest period of his recollection; that he has a certified copy which was taken from the records of Births in said Dighton, and which is herunto annexed, by which it appears he was born on the 22 d of April A.D. 1753 - That before the Revolution he moved from said Dighton to said Berkley where he resided at the several periods when he was called into the service and where he has always resided since the Revolution, save he was called into the service and also the names of his and of such other officers as he recollects, and the general circumstances of his service & the manner in which he was discharged are before stated in this declaration - He was not a substitute - The names of the persons who can testify to his veracity and services as a soldier, are the same who have subscribed the annexed affidavits - And in addition to these he has no doubt but the Rev. Philip Hathaway and Nathan P. Hathaway both residents of Free town in said County, both both living within one or two miles of the dwelling of the said Goff, can testify to his character for veracity and their belief; that he deserved the afore-

- mentioned and described herein as a soldier in the Revolutionary Wars
John Goff
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid H. Burleigh, Judge of Probate

We, Philip Hathaway ————— a clergyman, residing in the town of Freetown ————— and Chatham P. Hathaway residing in the Town of Freetown hereby certify, that we are well ac- quainted with John Goff ————— who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Twenty nine years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Philip Hathaway Chatham P. Hathaway
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
H. Baylies, Judge of Probate
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Philip Hathaway who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Chatham P. Hathaway  Freetown and that Chatham P. Hathaway who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same town and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
H. Baylies, Judge of Probate.
I, Anselm Bassett Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Goff for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my office, this twelfth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two .
Anselm Bassett

9750
John Goff
E.R.H.

Samuel Paul of Berkley in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being twenty five years of age, do testify and say, that I served with John Goff and then now a resident in said Berkley for the term of
John Goff the Son of Nathaniel Goff by Baturah his wife was born April 22 d - A. 1753
A true copy of record
attest Jonathan Jones Town Clerk of Dighton
months, - The company were discharged verbally, and any of one, that belonged to Capt. Briggs's company, having a written discharge - The company were discharged by Capt. Briggs. - Samuel Paul ✓
Bristol ss. Aug. 21 st 1832 Then personally appeared Samuel Paul who subscribed the above declaration and made oath to the truth of the same - Before me, Nathaniel P. Hathaway, Justice of the Peace -
Bristol ss. May 16 th 1833 - I certify that Samuel Paul who subscribed the above affidavit is a credible person & that the above statement by him made is entitled to full faith & credit - Nathaniel P. Hathaway, Justice of the Peace -

Samuel Paul of Berkley in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being twenty five years of age, do testify and say, that I served with John Goff and then now a resident in said Berkley for the term of two months in a company of Infantry under the command of Capt. James Briggs; that said Goff then served in said company and was a private soldier therein, from the latter part of November or the first part of December A.D. 1875 to about the first of February A.D. 1876 when the said Goff and myself together with the remainder of the company were discharged at Roxbury in the vicinity of Boston Mass, where the company had been stationed during said period of two months, - The company were discharged verbally, and I did not know of any one, that belonged to Capt. Briggs's company, having a written discharge - The company were discharged by Capt. Briggs. - Samuel Paul ✓
Bristol ss. Aug. 21 st 1882 Then personally appeared Samuel Paul who subscribed the above declaration and made oath to the truth of the same - Before me, Nathaniel P. Hathaway, Justice of the Peace -
Bristol ss. May 16 th 1883 - I certify that Samuel Paul who subscribed the above affidavit is a credible person & that the above statement by him made is entitled to full faith & credit - Nathaniel P. Hathaway, Justice of the Peace -

We Benjamin Paull, Samuel Paull and Ebenezer Paull all of Berkley in the county of Bristol and Commonwealth aforesaid, do testify and say, that we served, with John Goff then and now a resident of the same Berkley, in a company of Infantry commanded by Capt. Samuel Dubbs. in Col. Jacob French's Regiment, from about the first of February to about the first of April A.D. 1776 - That this service was rendered at Winter Hill, so called, and Dorchester, both of which places are in the vicinity of Boston Massachusetts - That after the said Goff had served two months as aforesaid he and the company were discharged at said Dorchester by Capt. Dubbs - We received and presume that he received, no written discharge - We were discharged verbally - Two months was the term for which the company was raised -
Benjamin Paull v Ebenezer Paull v Samuel Paull v
Bristol ss. Aug. 21 st 1832 Then personally appeared Benjamin Paull Ebenezer Paull and Samuel Paull who subscribed the above declara- tion and made oath to the truth of the same -
Before me, Nathaniel P. Hatheway, Justice of the Peace -
Bristol May 16 th 1833. I certify that Benjamin Paull, Ebenezer Paull, and Samuel Paull, who subscribed the above affidavit are credible persons and that their statements is entitled to full faith & credit - Nathaniel P. Hatheway, Justice of the Peace -

I was born in the town of Bristol and town of Massachusetts, being in the eighteenth year of my age, as before and say that in the years of our Lord 1777 and 1778 I served as private soldier in a company of Infantry under Capt. Gibbs in Col. William Stanton's Regiment, in the fifteen months service so called. that I served during the whole of said fifteen months, in that company. That said company during the whole of said period of fifteen months, was stationed in Swan Town, Rhode Island, either at or very near to the land so called, - The principal part of said period the company was stationed at the Ferry. In this period of my service I well recollect that there was a company of Infantry stationed aboard Ferry, which was under the command of Capt. which Capt. of a company of Infantry in said County, which company I think was attached to Col. Tappin's Regiment. - John Goff now and then a resident of said Berkeley, with whom I had been and have been acquainted from the days of my boyhood, was a member of said a private soldier in Capt. Clapp's company at that time - He the said John served in Capt. Clapp's company according to my recollection aboard Ferry during the whole time that Capt. Clapp's company was stationed at the Ferry, which was at least three months, if not longer as I cannot be certain whether the company of Capt. Clapp was stationed at the Ferry three months, in the year of A.D. 1777 or a part of the time year of A.D. 1777 and a part of the year A.D. 1778; but I know it was there stationed in the period of said fifteen months, about the time of three months - Having before that time been well acquainted with the said Goff, after he joined  joined Capt. Clapp's company at said daily Ferry, I used almost if not daily to to see him or he come to see me - I used almost daily if not daily to see him every day during

said period of three months, to the said Goff upon duty and doing the same in Capt. Bliss's company, as the company went to drill but a short distance and in full sight of the place where I was stationed — We used to have the roll called every morning, and the company to which the said Goff belonged and the company to which I belonged, as before stated, were very near to each other and I have a distinct recollection of having frequently heard his name called, when the roll of Capt. Bliss's company was called over. The first my knowing of Goff's being at the Ferry was from hearing his name called one morning after one Bliss's company arrived at the Ferry, and in consequence thereof I went and looked him up —
Daniel Briggs ✓
Bristol H. Aug. 23 d 1832. Then personally appeared Paul Briggs who made oath to the truth of the above declaration. My commission expired. Before me, Nathaniel P. Hathaway, Justice of the Peace. Bristol H. May 16 th 1832. I certify that Paul Briggs who signed the above affidavit is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to full faith and credit. Nathaniel P. Hathaway, Justice of the Peace. Commonwealth of Massachusetts —
Jan 10 48. I, James Groat, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol do hereby certify that Eliza Hathaway Esq. whose signature is affixed to the foregoing and annexed certificate, is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to ad- minister oaths —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hands, and affixed the seal of said Court, this third day of September in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred & thirty two Jas. Groat

9750
John Goff
Part 6 mo 28 days
5:4 16 06
382
$22.11.
for 2 L Houses
Present
A Bapett
Taunton
Mass

BRIEF in the case of  John Goff  County of Bristol  in the State of Massachusetts  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? In open Court 2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 3. How old is he? 79 years 4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     enlisted In 1775 2. private Gen. Capt Briggs Col French,   Feby 1776 2 " " Col French. Capt Tabor   1777 3 except 30 " " Col Tappin. Capt Bliss   4 days, but the Capt   put him on the pay   roll for 3 months  
5. In what battles was he engaged?
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Berkely Mass
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? living witnesses & traditional evidence
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Enos Watson  21st feby 1833
Examining Clerk.
# he thinks

P
15.863
INVALID.
File No. 15.863
John Goff Pri Rev War
Act: June 7 '39
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 147
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Amendment of John Goff's Declaration
Commonwealth of Massachusetts } Bristol County } ss. May 17 th A.D. 1833.
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a justice of the Peace in and for said County of Bristol, John Goff, who being duly sworn, deponeth and saith, that he (who is the same John Goff that made his declaration before the Hon. Hadley Baylies Judge of the Court Probate held at Freetown in and for said County on the 30 th day of August, now last past,) who being duly sworn, deponeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades —
For two months, I served as a Private under Capt. Briggs } mo. days. in the years 1775 & 1776 in a company of Infantry } " 2 " 00
For two months I served as a Private under Capt. Dibble in the yr 1776 } " 2 " 00 in a company of Infantry
For Two months and twenty eight days, I served as a Private } 2 " 28 under Capt. Clapp in the years 1777 in a company of Infantry } mo. 6 " 28
Amounting in the whole to (at least) Six months and Twenty eight days
and for which I claim a Pension. —
John Goff
Subscribed and sworn to, before me on this 17 th day of May A.D. 1833 Ebenezer P. Alderman, Just. of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss. I James Sprague, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Nathaniel D. Hattabough, Esq. whose signature is affixed to the within certificate is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Bristol and duly qualified to administer oaths - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this twenty second day of May in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty three. - Jas. Sprague

9750 John Goff
A Baptist Engr Scranton Mass

John Goff REF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes no VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. †If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? no
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI. †Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
5 - In additional affidavits 14. Supplied —